Moving-picture apparatus.



E. L. AIKEN.

MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1905.

1,037,13 Patented Sept.3,1912.

5 SHBETSSHEET l.

Attest: Q l'nvgntor E. L. AIKEN.

\ MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8*, 1905.

1,037,183, Patentd Sept;3,19 12.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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E. L. AIKEN. MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1905.

Patented Sept. 3; 1912.

5, 5 SHEETS--SHBET 3.

Attest: lnyentor:

H. Wm

y 0 ,lsL hf m 5410 (7% y 76 Z Afiy B. L. AIKEN.

MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION I'ILEDNOV. 8, 1905. 1 Q37,188 Patented Sept. 3, 1912.:

5'SHEETSBEEET 4.

Attest: Inyentor: Ms W 2. Mm

W M y n E. L. AIKEN. MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.8,1905, 1 037 1 88 Patemeqi Sept 5 SHBETSSHEET 5 filveiziar: J flfiflaf 6 M -16 MA,

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MGVING-IICTURE AIPARATUS.

in an application filed on- April 12, 1905, Serial No. 255.100. Patent No. 967,293,

granted August 16,1910,it is important that the film upon which the pictures are carrie shall not be exposed to the heat which accompanies the projecting light for more than a very brief interval of time, because such films are composed of celluloid an the heat referred to is sufficient to ignite such a film very quickly. Ordinarily, since the film travels rapidly past the opening through which the pictures are projected it does not become heated to dangerous era-- the mechanism becomes deranged so as not to properly feed the film, or in case the operator fails to properly operate the said mechanism, the film may become ignited with disastrous res its, since the projecting apparatus is often situated very close to inflammable materials, as when used in theaters, etc. In the application above referred to, I have described and broadly claimed means for automatically cutting off the beam of light from the film when the same is not being moved.

In the present application my obj ect is the provision of an improved form of apparatus designed for automatically performing this and capable of being applied as an attachment to ordinary projecting machines now in use.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the features hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to Figure 1 is a. side elevation of a complete apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 showing the shutter and operating parts for automatically cutting 01.. the projecting light. Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly broken awa of the parts shown in Fig. 52- when views-i the right. l is a sec Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 8, 1995.

the accompanying drawings,

is a rear elevation Patented Sept. 3,1912.

Serial Nd. 286,424.

tion on linenl of Fig. 3. Figs. Sand 6 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4: respectively and illustrating a modification there of. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the means by which the frame 10 is secured to the frame 10.

, In all the views the corresponding parts are designated by the same numerals of reference.

In the boxes or located the supply and take-up reels respectively for the traveling film 1. These boxes or film holders 4: andQ'Z formthe subject matter of a No. 711,399, filed July 25, 1912.

The mechanism for-moving the film 1, step by step into the field of the projecting light is of the usual :type comprising a continuous sprocket flyvhich forms a loop 0 above the display opening and an intermit tent feed sprocket immediately below the opening, drive gear 6 and gear train I) driven by the usual crank a as indicated in dotted lines, 1, said gears and sprockets being allniounted in the frame 10.- My

improvedattachnient for automa'ically cut ting off the light when the film is stationary comprises a frame 10 having a groove 10 for engaginglthe rod 16 of the frame 10, and cars to receive bolts for rigidly clamping thetwo frames together. A shaft 7a is iourna led in the frame 10 and in proper position for the gear 74" which is mounted on one eiid'thereof to mesh with the drive gear a. This shaft 7i carries at its opposite end a pulley 74 for drivin the take-up reel which is carried by the ame 10 and also carries a sprocket 67 (Figs. 3 and 5) for maintaining the loop d (Fig. l).

The shutter is composed of two pivoted members 28 and 29 (Fig. 2) which are situ- -ated directly behind the display opening and adapted to move away from each other to permit the light to pass and-to move; toward each other until they overlap as shown, in order to completely outolf the light. These l members are preferably of aluminum in order that they may be very light and at the same time Y possess considerable rigidity. The plate 29 is pivoted on a pin 30 carried by the support 31, the said supportbeing secured to the frame 10 secured to the frame i 10. The plate 28 is pivoted on a. pin 32 also the siip'port 31. Upon the hub 33 receptacles 1 and 27 are divisional application Serial ried by said plate and engaging a slot 42 in 74. Upon one end of the shaft 1s a spur 75 40 When the shaft 50 however attains a speed a set screw and through said sleeve passes by t e action of. the spring 65 pressing a longitudinally adjustable rod 36 held by a against the lower end of the frame 58. ThlS' set screw 37, and carrying at one end a spring acts as a double throw spring and 5 weight 38 for counterbalancing the plate 28 holds the frame 58 in an open position when 1 with respect to the pivot 32. An operating it is desired to 'thread the film through the link 39 is pivoted at40 to the lower end of apparatus. A roller 66 is carried by the the plate 29 and is operatively connected rame 58 and presses against the continwith the plate 28 by means of a pin 41 caruous feed sprocket 67 carried on the shaft of the plate is secured a sleevefid'held-by 10 and against which the roller 61 is held the said link. The other end of the link 39 is'pivoted at 4,3 to one end of a lever 44 whose fulcrum is at 45 where it is pivoted to the frame 10. This lever carries at its 15 forward end a fork 4c6having inwardly extending fingers 47 (Fig. 4:) adapted to be engaged by a flange 48 formed on the outer end of the sleeve 49. This sleeve is slidable upon the shaft 50 which is journaled in a 20 hearing 51 formed in the frame 10. Bigidly secured to the shaft 50 is a cupped disk 52 provided. with ears 53, 53 to which are pivoted bell crank levers 54, 54. Each of 69 carried by the end'of a countershaft 70 which is journaled in the arms 71 of the frame 58 and carries at its opposite end a disk 71 having a cr'ank'pin 72 for engaging frame 58 being turned on its pivot 59 when it is desired to thread a film through the apparatus.

I It is obvious that as the film is drawn through the projecting apparatus by the sprocket 6 1t WlllCELUSvi-B the shaft 60 to be 5' situated within the body of the disk 52 and thereby operating the shutter-controlling shaft 50, and in case of any stoppage on the part of the operator or any breakage of the I film, the said shaft 50 will come to restand 0 57 which tends to separate the said parts. the shutter will close.

is driven fromflthe shaft M'upon which the feeds'procket '67 is carried, by means of spur gears 75 and 76 carried by said shafts re- 35 29 being together as indicated in Fig. 2 and the sleeve 49 being at its extreme optward limit of movement. Obviously the parts will be brought to this position 'by'the operation of the spring 57 and the weight 38.

ment with the sprocket 67 y a roller 77 carried at the ee end of a frame 78 which is pivoted on a pin 79 carried bv the frame 10 and held in any-"desired position by a spring 80 secured to the frame 78 at one end sufliclent to overcome the inertiaand fricand caring against'thepivot pin 79 at its tion of the various parts, the ceiit-rifugal d i weights 55 will move the levers 54 upon -teir pivots and the said levers will slide 45 the sleeve 49 upon the shaft 50, thereby obvious that any stoppage of the driving I 50 used for projecting the pictures to pass therebetween. When the shaft 50 ceases to revolve or falls below a given speed the parts will return to the positions shown.

he shaft 50 may be driven either by the 55 traveling film l or directly from the gear train operated by the crank a, the first arrangement being illustrated in Figs. 3 and inevitably occurs when the film is used for I claim as new therein an desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows; n a moving picture apparatus, a shut 12o "ter comprising a pair of pivoted plates, an operating "rod connected to both of said rotated by reason of the sprocket teeth 62, 5

In the device of Figs. 5 and 6 the shaft 50 1 spectively. The film 1 is held in engage- 0 4, and the second in Figs. 5 and 6. w .In Figs. 3 and 4 a frame 58 is pivoted at 60 59' to the frame 10 and carries at its free end a "shaft 60. upon which is mounted a cylinder 61 having two sets of teeth 62 for engaging the usual apertures 63 of the film 1, the film being he in engagement with 65-, said teeth-by a roller 64 carried by the frame plates at points which occupy relatively opposite positions with respect to the pivots film-driving mechanism for operating said rod, thereby turning said plates on their pivots in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

2 In a moving picture apparatus, a shut- 130 of sa1dplates, and means controlled by the adapted to move a n oims s vertically with respect to their pivots and adapted to move toward and away from each other, rotary means controlled by the film driving mechanism, a member movable thereby, connections between said plates and to said member therefrom for moving said plates on their pivots away from each other, and a weighted lever connected to one of said plates at the pivot of said plate for causing said plates to move toward each other, substantially as set forth. r

4. In a moving picture apparatus, the combination of film driving mechanism, a shutter comprising a pair of plates pivoted atdfiferent points, extendingsubstantially vertically with respect to their pivots and toward and away from each other, the pivot of one plate being above that of the other plate, said first named plate having an extension below its pivot, a connection from said extension to the second plate above the pivot of the latter, connections from the film driving mechanism for moving said plates pivotally away from each other, and a counterbalance eccentrically secured to said second plate'at the pivot thereof for causing said plates to move toward each other, substantially as set forth.

5. In a moving picture apparatus, the combination with a frame or support carry- Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for adapted to engage five cents each, by'adareutng Washington, D. 0.

ing a shutter, a shaft and centrifugal weights for operating said shutter, of an auxiliary frame pivoted to the shutter-carrying frame and carrying at its free end a sprocket adapted to engage the traveling film, and a driving connection between the sprocket shaft and shutter operating shaft, substantially as set forth.

6. In a moi'ing picture apparatus, the combination with a frame or support carrying a shutter,- a shaft and centrifugal weights for operating said shutter, an auxiliary frame pivoted to theshutter-carrying frame and carrying at its free end a sprocket the traveling film, a spring for holdingrsaid frame in position for said engagempnt -and a driving connection between the sprocket, shaft and shutter operating shaft, substantially as set forth.

7. In a moving picture apparatus, a shutter comprising a'pair of plivoted plates, a rod connected to both of sa'i which occupy relatively opposite positions with respect to the pivots 0 said plates, and means cont-rolled by the film-driving mech anism and including said rod for turning the plates on their pivots inop osite directions, substantially'as des ribe 8. In a moving picture apparatus, a shutter comprising a pair of pivoted plates, a rod connected to both of said plates at points which occupy relatively with respect means controlled by the film-driving mechanism and including said rod for turning the plates on their pivots in opposite directions, and a counterweight for returning said plates to their closed position, substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 6th day of November 1905.

EDWARD L. AIKEN. Witnesses:

FRANK L. DYER, 'DELOS HOLDEN.

the Commissioner of Patents,

plates at points opposite positions to the plvots of said plates, 

